Wild File: Barn Owl

Tyro Alba

3:32 PM,
Oct. 5, 2013

A barn owl

Written by

Andrea Stetson
Special to news-press.com

The barn owl looks a lot different from other types of owls. Its white heart-shaped face is set deep in its large head. Dark eyes contrast the white face and pale bill, making it almost ghostlike in appearance. This, combined with their blood-curdling shriek, have led to the nickname of ghost owl. They are also featured in folklore and myth as ghostly creatures.

Barn owls are found throughout Florida in woodland edges and clearings. They live in hardwood and tropical hammocks, urban areas with lots of palms and large hardwoods, and manmade structures such as barns and deserted buildings.